MANAonline
‘Rise for Peace’ project to curb political violence in Salima
By Yankho Kandio
Salima, May 19, Mana: Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has announced the launch of a new initiative called “Rise for Peace”, targeting youth in the fight against political violence ahead of the 2025 general elections.
CHRR Project Officer, Maxwell Mvula, announced the initiative during a District Executive Committee meeting on Monday, and he described the initiative as a strategic response to the risk of electoral violence.
“The goal is to mobilize the youth to work against political violence ahead of the general elections. We want to equip both peer educators and party-wing leaders on issues of peace building, conflict resolution and conflict management.” Mvula said.
Although CHRR had initially hoped to implement the project across all Salima constituencies, resource limitations have confined its scope to Salima Central, according to Mvula.
He added that that the choice of Salima Central was also informed by its status as a political hotspot.
“We already have the structures, personnel, and community networks in Salima Central, which makes it feasible to launch the project here,” he said.
The Rise for Peace project is being implemented in three districts; Salima, Karonga and Mangochi with a total budget of MWK 121.3 million, with each district allocated MK40.3 million, exclusively for activity-based expenditures.
Expected outcomes include the empowerment of youth to mitigate potential electoral crises.
“We want to see empowered youth in Salima Central who can prevent up to 80 percent of the anticipated political and electoral violence in 2025,” said Mvula.
The project also aims to foster constructive engagement among youth across political divides, and ensure inclusive civic education.
“Young men, women, and youth with disabilities are often excluded from electoral processes. This time, we want to make sure they are fully involved in all electoral activities leading up to September 16, 2025.” he said.
District Elections Officer for Salima, Alinafe Chisenga, commended the initiative, saying violence derails electoral processes.
"We appreciate every initiative that is channeled towards raising awareness against violence during elections, what we hope is a credible electoral process," she said.
The Rise for Peace initiative marks a critical step towards peaceful and inclusive elections in Malawi.
Kasungu women hailed for promoting immunisation
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, May 19, Mana: Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) Assistant Projects Officer, Herbert Chakwawa, has hailed mother care groups (MCGs) in Kasungu for constructing houses for Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs), a development he says has helped to promote access to immunisation services in communities.
MEHN, together with the Ministry of Health, is implementing a Health Systems and Immunisation Strengthening project to contribute towards the achievement of Malawi health targets for Sustainable Development Goals of ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age by 2030.
Through the project, MEHN has trained the MCGs which advocate for improved healthcare services in communities by mobilizing resources for construction of under-five clinics and health staff houses in hard to reach areas.
Speaking on Monday during a training for Dunda MCG members in the area of Senior Chief Njombwa in Kasungu, Chakwawa said most of the MCGs in the district have managed to construct houses for HSAs who are responsible for providing immunisation services.
“When HSAs stay far away from clinics, it disturbs the provision of vaccination services because of logistical challenges. The HSAs may not have transport or it may be raining and they fail to show up.
“With the houses that MCGs have managed to construct, HSAs stay right there at the clinic, meaning they are available all the time to attend to such matters,” Chakwawa said.
He added that through the interventions of the MCGs, there have been reduced barriers to equitable and quality immunisation to communities in remote areas.
“The project aims at achieving participatory health governance to ensure that barriers to immunisation are reduced, and to strengthen the capacity of integrated health systems to deliver immunisation by resolving health constraints.
“So far, we have managed to improve access, quality and utilization of essential health package, especially immunisation, focusing on populations systematically missed due to geographical, socio-economic and cultural barriers,” he said.
Community Midwife Assistant for Dunda Health Post, Memory Khumbanyiwa, also lauded the MCGs for constructing the house, saying it has reduced the troubles of commuting from Bua Health Centre, a 20-kilometre round trip.
Chairperson for Dunda MCG, Christina Salangwa, thanked MEHN for training the community structures to help in mobilization for immunisation.
Kasungu has 30 MCGs operating in the most rural communities.
Government deploys land clerks, registrars to councils, TAs
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, May 19, Mana: Ministry of Lands has deployed 319 land clerks and 34 land registrars in districts and Traditional Authorities (T/A) across the country to enhance customary land registration.
Public Relations Officer for Ministry of Lands, Mphatso Mkuonera, told Malawi News Agency on Monday that 34 district land registrars will be working in all councils and municipalities, while 319 clerks will be based at T/A level.
"The land registrars will also be working as secretary to the district land tribunal in each district while the 319 land clerks will also be working as secretaries to the customary land committees and customary land tribunals," said Mkuonera.
He added that the officers, in collaboration with selected village committee, will be responsible for resolving land related disputes, and that where one is not satisfied with the outcome, they can appeal to customary land tribunal based at T/A level.
“After this level there is a district land tribunal and the central land board as the higher authority for appeal,” he added.
The Customary Land Act (2016) and attendant regulations (2018) create land committees whose members are expected to be nominated by the communities themselves.
The committee ensures that all other categories of land and their respective boundaries within the jurisdiction of the group village head of the area are clear and known. This arrangement replaced the old system where traditional leaders were the ultimate authority over customary land.
Traditional Authority Kunthembwe of Blantyre has, since, expressed gratitude for the deployment of the officials, saying they will be key in reducing land disputes.
He said the development has come at a right time as he receives more than 10 land-related cases every month.
"When it comes to land-related disagreements people think that we, traditional leaders, are corrupt. The coming in of government officials in our communities will promote access to land related justice," said Kunthembwe.
NYCOM champions youth as architects of peace ahead of 2025 elections
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, May 19, Mana: National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) has launched a transformative initiative aimed at equipping young Malawians to become peace champions in a proactive move to foster peaceful democratic participation ahead of the September 16, 2025 general elections.
The initiative, which kicked off Friday with a two-day message development workshop in Salima, brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, and community leadership to strengthen youth participation in peace building.
Speaking at the official opening, NYCOM Director of Finance and Administration, Ernest Mangani, called on stakeholders to view the youth not as tools for political violence, but as architects of peace.
“Our young people must not be reduced to pawns in political conflicts. They are the cornerstone of Malawi’s peaceful development,” said Mangani.
He said the initiative aligns with Malawi 2063 and is a direct contribution to the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and the African Union’s Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security.
The workshop provided a platform to co-create messages that encourage youth to engage constructively in the upcoming elections.
“Our mandate goes beyond youth representation, we are here to mobilize, educate, and empower the youth to be genuine agents of positive change. This is about ensuring they transition from passive participants to active shapers of Malawi’s democratic future,” he said.
NYCOM Programs Officer, Solomon Mlinda, elaborated on the project's objectives, noting that the initiative is not only about preventing violence but also creating a sustainable framework for youth empowerment.
“We are building capacity of young people to be peace ambassadors. Through advocacy, education, and inclusive participation, we aim to redirect their energy from being manipulated to being leaders in their own right,” said Mlinda.
One of the participants Traditional Authority (TA) Maganga commended the initiative and recognized the urgency of the matter, noting the growing concerns of political manipulation among youth in previous election cycles.
She said supporting NYCOM’s peace building agenda will affirm the role of youth as key partners in safeguarding Malawi’s democracy.
“When young people are empowered to resolve disputes and promote unity, they become the strongest pillars of our democracy,” she said.
The workshop was attended by representatives from the Department of National Unity, the Malawi Electoral Commission, Malawi Police Service, Malawi Peace and Unity Commission, National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE), Youth and Society (YAS), and various youth leaders.
LL District Council urge women, girls, to report GBV
By Eranivey Temani
Lilongwe, May 19, Mana: The Lilongwe District Council’s Gender Officer, Lirani Hanna Katutu, has urged women and girls to report GBV cases to relevant authorities as a way of curbing the malpractice.
The Gender Officer made the call at Nsundwe Trading Center on Saturday during the commemoration of Women’s International Day at district level.
She said the council has an obligation of making sure that women and girls are free from any sorts of violence in the district, and that they are empowered and supported for national development.
“Women are vital for the development of this country; They need all the support they can get from authorities and the community at large, including empowerment and appointment to decision-making positions,” she said.
Katutu further outlined the council's initiatives aimed at promoting women's rights and participation in leadership roles, such as councilors and members of parliament.
She added that the council has already created a supportive environment where women can thrive and report cases of violence without hesitation.
A local businesswoman from the area, Aness Chiipira, hailed the council for the initiative, saying it will bring positive impact on women's economic empowerment.
“We thank them for encouraging us that we can rise to any positions in life, and also that we can venture into small businesses and farming, “said Chiipira.
A learner at Mdzobwe Primary School in the area, Alepha Phiri, who participated in a competition during the event, also hailed the council for the awareness on reporting GBV cases.
Phiri said, as a girl child still in school, she found the awareness vital and timely.
“This initiative will help us successfully achieve our dreams, and I am happy that the council officials identified relevant authorities, to champion this initiative, because we need unity in this fight,” she said.
The event was spiced up with several performances such as dancing competition, drama and Coca-Cola drinking competition among others.
This year's International Women's Day was commemorated under the theme “All Women's and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment.
Sound design revolutionises Malawi's Film Industry
By Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, May 19, Mana: The Malawi film industry has experienced a significant shift in recent years, with sound design emerging as a crucial element in storytelling.
Sound engineer, Miracle Ndonani, who worked on the popular film "Welcome to Maula Prison," told Mana in an interview that sound design is no longer just a background element, but a powerful tool that enhances emotional depth, realism, and audience engagement.
"When working on a film project, my sound design process typically begins with reading the script and understanding the director's vision," he said. "I identify key sound elements that will enhance the storytelling, such as dialogue, sound effects, and music."
Ndonani emphasized the importance of sound design in shaping the emotional impact of a film. "By carefully crafting the sound elements, I can create a sonic landscape that evokes emotions, builds tension, or creates a sense of unease."
He added that in 'Welcome to Maula Prison,' he used sound effects and music to create a sense of foreboding and tension, which heightened the audience's emotional response to a key scene.
However, Ndonani noted that limited access to high-quality equipment and software is a significant challenge for sound designers in Malawi.
President of the Film Association of Malawi (FAMA), Dorothy Shonga, has since acknowledged the contribution of sound design to the industry's growth.
"Sound design is crucial to Malawi's film industry growth, enhancing storytelling, emotional resonance, and overall production value," she said in an interview. "Quality sound design can elevate Malawian films, making them more engaging and competitive globally."
According to Shonga, FAMA is committed to supporting the development of sound design in Malawi's film industry, with initiatives that include workshops and training programs for sound design and post-production; collaborations with industry experts and international partners; and providing resources and mentorship for emerging sound designers.
A film enthusiast, Madalitso Tukula, has also commended the role sound design plays in how the public regard Malawian films, adding that sound design helps bring scenes to life and makes them feel more engaging.
“When the sound is clear and well done, it pulls you into the story more deeply," said Tukula in an interview.
Living Waters Church engages youths on effective leadership
By Mirriam Bwanali
Blantyre, May 19, Mana: Living Waters Church has engaged the youth through a seminar on effective leadership under the theme: ‘Creating a spiritual life for leaders of tomorrow.’
Speaking at the seminar at Chigumula Living Waters Church in Blantyre over the weekend, Pastor Adam Gondwe, said leadership is not only about being in charge but also taking care of others.
“Leaders are both made and born. Moses wasn't born a leader but he was made and learned to be a leader,” he said.
He, therefore, called upon youth in the church to learn and be ready to take up leadership roles.
Pastor Gondwe added that good leaders are able to effectively communicate with others which leads to building positive relationship with others.
Chairperson for Living Waters Church Youth Ministry in the southern region, Takondwa Kambwiri, said the seminar was necessary for youths as it provided an opportunity for young people to get insight on leadership roles.
One of the participants, Lucy Malefula from Mulanje Living Waters Church described the seminar as insightful saying she learned leadership skills that she will apply when leading fellow youths in Mulanje.
“I have learned that being a leader is not only being in that position but also bringing solutions to problems,” she said.
More than 65 youths representing Living Waters Church in Chikwawa, Zomba, Thyolo, Blantyre, Mulanje and other districts in the southern region attended the seminar.
MRCS bails out Cyclone Jude survivors Jude
By Macmolex Chirwa
Chikwawa, May 18 Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) on Saturday started disbursing cash and assorted non-food items to 947 households that were left destitute by Cyclone Jude at Traditional Authority Makhuwira in Chikwawa District.
Head of Disaster Management at the MRCS, Patrick Duncan Phiri said at Mitondo School in the district that each of the 947 affected households will receive K70,000 in two instalments, making it K140,000 in total.
“The household will receive money and soap to help alleviate some of the challenges the households have been facing due to the effects of Cyclone Jude,” added Phiri.
One of the beneficiaries, 82-year-old Esther Moffat, said the money will help her repair her house and feed her grandchildren for some days and called on well-wishers to assist in any way they can.
Chikwawa District Council, Director of Planning and Development, Jossen Tembo, commended the MRCS for responding to the plight of Cyclone Jude survivors in the district, saying the gesture complements government efforts in providing relief to households that are affected by natural disasters.
The director also appealed to beneficiaries to use the cash for good intentions in line with the MRCS's wishes.
The MRCS also responded the same way to survivors in Phalombe and Mulanje with financial assistance from Danish Red Cross. and International Federation of Red Cross, and Red Crescent Societies
Cyclone Jude came with heavy rainfall early March this year and caused flash floods in the low-lying areas of the Shire Valley, displacing over 2,000 households.
Kalonga Gawa Undi appoints CHEFO administration
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, May 18, Mana: Chewa Chief for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, His Majesty Kalonga Gawa Undi, on Saturday appointed a new Malawi steering committee for the Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO).
Kalonga Gawa Undi has reappointed Dr. Stanley Khaila as CHEFO Chairperson, Ellia Chizimba as new General Secretary, Humphrey Murray, Treasurer General, Pyson Likagwa as Director of Administration, Beatrice Bangula, a reporter with Malawi News Agency (Mana) in Blantyre, as Director of Publicity, while Fred Kadzanja was appointed Director of Youth.
His Majesty Kalonga Gawa Undi also appointed Reuben Mwale as Director of Chiefs and Cultural Affairs, Abison Chitukula as Director of Legal Affairs, and Agness Kaliyopa, Director of Food and Social Welfare.
The Chewa Chief further appointed Rex Chapota as Director of Fundraising, while Dwight Kambuku is Director of Investments, Mathias Mbuzi oversees Education and Research and Drina Mpote becomes Director of Women.
Dr. Khaila told Mana in an interview that CHEFO’s main objective is to protect, preserve, and promote culture of the Chewas, adding that the newly appointed team, which His Majesty has put together, will work hard to ensure that the foundation’s objectives are achieved.
“It's an honor to be reappointed as CHEFO chairperson. The team's effort will focus on preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Chewa people, including their traditional ceremonies, which showcase vibrant dances, music, and customs,” he added.
The reappointed CHEFO Chairperson added that CHEFO, under the guidance of His Majesty Kalonga Gawa Undi, will be dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Chewa people with a strong commitment to preserving traditions.
He pledged that the team will work tirelessly to ensure a vibrant culture of the Chewa people continues to thrive across Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.
A three-year term committee appointed by His Majesty Kalonga Gawaundi will be entrusted with strategic planning, cultural preservation initiatives, community engagement and resource mobilization.
One of the Chewa people, George Kalimbika welcomed the appointment of the team and expressed hope that the team will be dedicated to achieving CHEFO objectives that will see strong bonds within the Chewa people in Malawi and across.
“I'm expecting a lot from the newly appointed team, particularly in terms of preserving and promoting the Chewa culture, strengthening community engagement, and driving progress in various initiatives. With clear objectives and a strong work ethic, I believe they can make a significant impact that should bring about positive change,” said Kalimbika.
The new committee held a meeting with Chewa chiefs on Saturday at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, where the coordinator of Chewa people in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, Senior Chief Lukwa stressed the need for unity and cooperation under the leadership of His Majesty Kalonga Gawa Undi
CHEFO was established to unite the Chewa people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Malawi, by addressing challenges, preserving culture, traditions, history and bringing unity.
Dowa Clinician arrested
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe 18 May Mana: Police in Dowa have arrested a clinician, Isoken Bond aged 33, for allegedly stealing medical supplies from Dowa District Hospital.
According to Dowa Police Publicist Alice Sitima, said authorities at the facility told the Police that the suspect stole the medical supplies while on night duty with the male ward in charge, Gloria Mwanyari.
"At the time of incident, the suspect (Bond) had locked himself inside the drugstore, a scenario that raised an alarm to Mwanyari.
"After checking in the drugstore, Mwanyari found a bag containing medicines allegedly packed by the suspect," Said Sitima.
Bond is expected to appear before court soon to answer a charge of theft by the servant.
